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Today is driven by a righteously opinionated Sagittarius Moon. It went void at 4:22 AM ET and won’t enter the next sign — Capricorn — until 5:49 PM ET. Roll with any twists or flakes that may disrupt your efforts to move forward in a straight line. Consider how you may implement the rose-colored potential of this afternoon’s opposition between Venus (money, women, art, social expression) and Neptune (music, surrender, faith, vision) into your wandering. Double check everything thrice. Why? Because any day with a strong Neptune increases the potential for confusion, not to mention the other patterns happening this week, as I outlined in the forecast last Friday:

On WEDNESDAY at 7:34 AM ET, we’ll have a square between the Leo Sun (leaders, life force, willpower) and Uranus (disruption, technology, seismic activity, aviation, etc.). Already we are feeling the buzz.

On THURSDAY at 1:03 AM ET, Mercury goes retrograde at 23 Leo, suggesting a review of how we need to think about play, showmanship, creative self-expression, regal pronouncements and entitlements. Watch the headlines over the next few weeks for stubborn and grandiose miscommunication. Don’t believe everything you hear! Mercury turns direct on August 19th at 11 Leo. If you have planets between 11 and 23 Leo — and especially on those exact degrees, you are especially affected by this Mercury retrograde. Regardless of your own unique horoscope, everyone should BACK UP YOUR COMPUTERS NOW! Other general guidelines for surviving Mercury retrogrades may be found here.

On FRIDAY, an especially assertive/courageous or simply combative opposition between Mars in rebel Aquarius and the regal Leo Sun, exact at 1:14 AM ET

On FRIDAY at 4:20 PM ET, a Full Moon/total lunar eclipse at 4 degrees of Aquarius — opposing the Leo Sun. How will we balance the eclectic needs of the collective vs. the birthright of the individual, hmm?

The next exact aspect after the eclipse is a harmony between Venus (money, women, art, social expression and value) and Pluto (power, resources) on FRIDAY at 9:22 PM ET. Venus is in Virgo; Pluto is in Capricorn. These are Earth Signs — concerned with the material world. Virgo seeks discernment, perfection, cooperation, service, process; Capricorn seeks status, achievement, establishment. I zeroed in on this Venus-Pluto trine when reading Beth Owl’s Daughter’s always in sync Tarot Card of the Week. It challenges us to take serious stock of what we value and how we use it. With Uranus now in Taurus (material comfort and security), we see strong potential for disruption in matters we believed were rock solid. When will that start? I am not certain, but I suspect we will have taken notice by mid-2021, with a whiff of things to come around June 2019.

The Sabian Symbols for Thursday’s eclipse echo a need for focus on the material. For the Sun: “rock formations at the edge of a precipice.” Sabian Symbol Guru Blain Bovee notes that these “large, hard stones…may be teetering…on the brink of a deep fall.” For the Moon: “a council of ancestors called to guide.” Bovee offers a curious interpretation: “Where do you go when you fall asleep? Into the arms of our ancestors.” Lynda Hill, another Sabian Symbol expert, notes the dichotomy here between the material (rocks) and the spiritual (wisdom of the ancestors/those who have gone before). Hmm. So in order to get out of this material predicament — i.e., of teetering on the brink — I reckon we need to tune in to the spiritual, which is exactly what is suggested by so many planets — especially Mars and now Mercury — being retrograde at this time. This notion was reinforced this morning via the musings of another intuitive friend — sound healer Norma Gentile. On the subject of abundance, she writes:

My guides have shared with me that we are many, many years away from the unity of consciousness that many people seek. They suggest that what we must first do is enter into the sacred versions of male and female within our polarized reality. Then we will take some time to understand the full spectrum of expressive energies that exist between them as well. The Divine Feminine has been awakening throughout our world for many centuries, and it is only now joined by a consciousness awakening of the Sacred Masculine. Spirit can now begin to flow through all aspects of our world that lie within polarity.

The first motion of this Spiritual flow is to reveal the non-sacred versions of masculine and feminine energies in our world to which we have become accustomed. Then as we sense and see the Sacred Masculine and Divine Feminine, we choose which to interact with. This choice is made by each of us as individuals, and our choices influence the percentage of sacred and non-sacred energies continue to express out into our shared world.

And, as we are learning, a simple majority does not make the choice go one way or the other. Only when a Golden Mean (3/5ths) of our world’s population chooses the sacred over the profane version of something can we as a planet move fully past that particular choice point. And so it seems we are in the process of endlessly taking a step forward, and then back. Repeating it over and over again until 3/5ths of all the souls within our world agree on that step forward. Then we begin to tackle the next step.

I have the coolest friends.

Other Moon voids this week: THURSDAY 9:41 AM ET until FRIDAY 6:41 AM ET. Well, that’ll make for an interesting first day of Mercury being retrograde.

And now, the news.

Of course Paul Manafort’s trial– scheduled to begin on the day Mercury turned retrograde — would be delayed. Duh.

Other signs Mercury might be stationary retrograde: Fox “News” thought they’d booked Ann Kirkpatrick, a Democratic congressional candidate who does not favor abolishing ICE. Guess who showed up instead? Barbara L’Italien, a Massachusetts state senator who opposes P45’s immigration policies. Not that the anchors noticed the booking error…until they finally did. D’oh! But hey…confusion about an ideal woman (Venus-Neptune opposition)…a disruptive Sun-Uranus square…we can see how this would happen.

Naturally the play I went to see last night was canceled, because the theater was on fire.

…not to mention P45’s screaming ALL CAPS Twitter tirade, threatening Tehran. My money says he failed to read this offering from the NYT: “Ever Wanted to Get Revenge? Try This Instead.” And even if he did, it wouldn’t compute, given his horoscope. He continues on a path suggesting reckless action and communication. Last month it was a solar arc between Mars (action) and Uranus (reckless); next month it is a solar arc between Mercury (mindset/communication) and Uranus (reckless), exact August 19th. This Mercury retrograde cycle activates his Midheaven (public status) this week; on August 19th, when Mercury turns direct, it will allllll-most be exactly on his natal Pluto (power and resources). Something to consider when reading headlines about P45 considering stripping security clearances from people who say things about him that he doesn’t like.

UPDATE: Stormy Daniels was served with divorce papers with transiting Mars exactly squaring her 4 Scorpio Moon. Her Moon co-rules her 7th house of partnership and will be affected by this week’s lunar eclipse. We can see the potential for a change in domestic/relationship status. Here is her horoscope.

UPDATE: Geologists are now saying that lava will likely continue to flow from the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii “for months to years.” File that under “I told you so,” based on patterns in Hawaii’s horoscope.

RANDOM USEFUL ANALYSIS: James Hohmann of WaPo’s Daily 202 breaks down the facts about Carter Page and the recently released FISA warrant.

OBLIGATORY CLOSE ON A POSITIVE, LIFE-AFFIRMING TOPIC: “You Should Actually Send That Thank-You Note You’ve Been Meaning to Write,” says the NYT, reflecting the perfect Miss Manners’ potential of today’s Venus in Virgo opposition to blissful Neptune. The reason people do not follow through on the impulse to express gratitude, says the article, is that “they undervalue the positive impact they can have on others for a tiny investment of time.”

Thank you for reading this forecast. To find out what all these retrogrades and eclipses mean to you personally, here’s the 411 on scheduling a consultation. To support my tireless efforts to report on the astonishing synchronicity of daily news and planetary patterns, here is the link to my Cosmic Tip Jar. With gratitude.

Which reminds me: Won’t You Be My Neighbor? is a must-see film — and a beautiful reflection of the potential in Mister Rogers’ horoscope — discussed on Friday. Hope you make time to see it.

The work week begins with Moon in Capricorn, forging ahead without too much interference during business hours. Your mission is to make things happen, using people and things to your strategic advantage. Man, that Capricorn Moon can be cold. A dreamy or creative spin may be applied to your dastardly deeds around 2PM ET, when the Moon harmonizes with visionary Neptune.

Be advised that emotions, along with the Moon, are waxing full today, exact on the Full Moon on TUESDAY at 6:56PM ET. Until then, we must first survive the emotional intensity and power plays of the Moon’s meet-up with merciless Pluto tonight at 9:24PM ET, followed by the (saber) rattling of Tuesday’s clash between Moon and Uranus, exact at 1:06PM ET. With warrior/action hero Mars still in an uncomfortable relationship with rebel Uranus (and discordant Eris), do your part to minimize the potential for outbursts by mastering your own aggressive urges and/or take it out at the local gym.

Other than Tuesday’s Full Moon, there are few exact planetary patterns between planets other than the Moon. Today and tomorrow we are under the influence of Saturn (structure, patriarchy, authority) in harmony with Mercury (how we need to think) and Venus (what we value; how we express ourselves socially). With the former in opinionated Sagittarius and the latter in regal Leo, we can expect a heavy dose of crystalline, yet conventional showmanship — pun obviously intended given that in the United States these alignments coincide with the Republican National Convention. Mercury and Saturn align at 2:28AM ET on Tuesday; Venus and Saturn align at 9:20AM on Wednesday. In your own personal world, hammer out that proposal, article, deal or any other enterprise requiring idealistic, organizational structure.

The Sabian Symbols for Tuesday’s Full Moon are as follows. For the Sun at 28 Cancer: “a modern Pocahontas.” For the Moon at 28 Capricorn: “A large aviary.” Here’s what Sabian Symbol Blain Bovee has to say about the large aviary:

Imagine a group of people, united by race or religion, talking amongst themselve about another strange and foreign group with whom they share nothing in common, apart from the fact of being human. Stories build, probably rife with moral branding, bias and projected fears.

Astonishing in its timeliness, is not? As for Pocahontas, Bovee writes:

Be alert to the need to tell a story to one’s best advantage, to talk matters up to reinforce a prevailing version. Watch for uninhibited natures: sexual, social, moral, political, that shamelessly wander into foreign regions, dress in foreign clothes, pray to strange gods; bringing home an unlikely marriage; bridging worlds of difference with sprightly, unaffected resolve, despite being very much talked about.

Moon voids are few this week. On Tuesday, Moon will be void between 6:56PM ET and 11:10PM ET; on Thursday stick to routine concerns and chill out between 9:56PM ET and 4:35AM ET on Friday. Be advised that Thursday’s Moon void happens on a highly charged aspect between Moon and Mars. Moon-Mars aspects suggest conflict and aggression. Stay safe out there, mmmKay?

In lieu of the headlines, I offer you the latest missive from my favorite disembodied entities — The Hathors — channeled through sound healer Tom Kenyon. No predictions of doom and gloom this time — just a practical meditation/sound healing for coping with these interesting times. Thank you, Moon in Capricorn.

Feeling especially charged this morning? Fizzle out as the day progressed?

Between 4:33AM ET and 10:56AM ET, the me-me-me Aries Moon made contact with Saturn, Pluto and Uranus, before going void for the rest of the day on that Me-Without-Compromise Moon-Uranus meet-up. At 7:24AM ET, the new lunar cycle officially began, as the Moon met up with the Aries Sun. Light a candle; make a list and take time to re-set your intentions for the next thirty days.

A New Moon in Aries suggests a need — or an opportunity — to be a courageous, inspiring pioneer and/or warrior, preferably on the side of the angels. At its best, Aries is a champion for the weak and vulnerable. It inspires people to take initiatives and defy the odds…yes, sometimes foolishly, but hey — if Plan A blows up, there’s always a Plan B, a Plan C and D. A true Aries never never never gives up. There is always a tomorrow.

At its worst, well…let’s just say Aries can be utterly self-absorbed and go to disturbing extremes in order to get there FIRST. Wherever, whatever…so long as something gets started. Astrologer Rick Levine — who celebrated his Aries birthday yesterday — aptly describes the Aries strategy for success as “Ready? Fire. Aim!” I like to say that Aries falls down stairs because it is faster than walking. You got a problem with that?

New Moon seeds planted now may be imbued with a strong need for freedom and empowerment, suggested by Moon’s contact with Pluto and Uranus. They also hold an easy structuring flow, courtesy of the Moon’s early AM contact with Saturn. Also in an easy flow: prominent crusading values and righteous opinion, suggested by Mars in Sagittarius trine to Venus at 2 Aries, at the Aries Point. Want some pixie dust with that? Mars and Neptune have been in a tense pattern for weeks, and the tension continues through May, returning for a last huzzah at the end of August. Your dusted pixies may be fanatical, magical, scandalous, seductive or drunk on their own delusions. It’s we who choose how we will manifest the potential suggested by planetary guideposts. Upside or downside — we decide.

Many astrologers have noted that this New Moon makes contact with Eris, known in mythology as the Goddess of Discord. File this under “increased potential for righteous outrage from those who perceive they haven’t been offered a seat at the table.” Also file it under “bullheaded/intractable thoughts and communication, potentially running wild,” suggested by Mercury unaspected in Taurus.

In the New Moon chart for Washington DC, we see this Mercury exactly on a 2 degree Taurus Ascendant, with the Sun and Moon exactly squaring an 18 Capricorn Midheaven, atop which sits Pluto at 17 Cap. There are four planets, plus Chiron, Eris and the South Node in the 12th house. This house traditionally refers to covert concerns, secret enemies, institutions, the self-undoing and issues we bury in the subconscious. Sounds like a lot of behind-the-scenes, backroom power plays which — with that Mercury on the ASC, we should hear about in plodding detail or pixie-dusted spin. Also hidden away in the chart for Washington: Mars and Saturn in the 8th House. Intriguing.

You’re more personally affected by this New Moon if you have a planet or important point at 19 degrees of Cancer, Libra, Capricorn, and especially Aries. Bernie Sanders has Moon at 20 Aries, Mars at 24 Aries and Venus at 23 Libra. The entity that continues to wreak havoc in the Middle East and elsewhere has Sun at 20 Aries, Venus and Eris at 23 Aries and Mars at 22 Aries. Justin Trudeau has Moon at 18 Aries. Pope Francis has Mars at 20 Libra — and he’ll be making headlines on Friday.

The Sabian Symbol for 19 Aries is “a magic carpet.” Ooh — more pixie dust! A magic carpet is empowered by something outside conventional norms, transcending the Earth, rising above it. What an interesting perspective you can get by introducing a little levity into your life. Or alternatively, as Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee writes:

Suspending natural laws implies effecting the extraordinary or not appreciating the gravity of the situation….

Bovee’s take on this Symbol seem to echo the overall patterns of this New Moon with its breakout, magical or delusional potential. In applying this Symbol in our daily lives, Bovee adds:

Think of magic as the wisdom to know when to stand above the fray; to transcend situations that could lead to bereavement; to ascertain the right moment to touch down.

How interesting that the Sabian Symbol for last month’s New Moon suggested the potential for being swept away by the madding crowd.

On Friday, the Taurus Moon seeks to build and maintain comfort and security — perhaps in ways that are fiercely unique, given Saturday’s meet-up between the Sun and rebel Uranus. The Taurus Moon will be void all day Saturday. Chill and avoid the malls.

Moon buzzes into Gemini at 1:59AM ET on Sunday, clashes with Mars at 4:06PM ET and squares off with nebulous Neptune at 7:59PM ET. Double check your communication channels to make sure what you heard is what was said.

No sleeping in on Monday, as the Moon will not be void in the morning.

And now, the news.

The disruptive Sun-Uranus-Pluto action this week continues to be reflected in rolling heads (the Sun) of state and other bright stars. In the wake of the Panama Papers massive leak, Argentina’s leader now faces an investigation. British PM David Cameron appears to be coming clean. In China, no heads are rolling, but websites posting the leak have been censored. Because if you censor it, that means it didn’t happen.

Venus entering Aries on Tuesday suggested prominent stories of fiery, independent and/or warrior women. I’d heard of Burning Man, but not the Dinah, where this year 20,000 lesbians gathered for a five-day festival in Palm Springs. The fest has been happening since 1991. Meanwhile, the NYT just posted a depressing piece about how Boko Haram is training abducted women to become suicide bombers. Feels like there are shades of Eris, Goddess of Discord in that one.

Discordant women in Indiana are attracting attention nationwide today, as a campaign called Periods for Pence made the home page of the NYT. In response to Governor Mike Pence signing a bill requiring, for instance, that a miscarried or aborted fetus must be now buried or cremated at the woman’s expense, Hoosiers with hoo-has have been peppering the governor’s office with status reports and questions about gynecological concerns. A suit challenging the constitutionality of the law has just been filed.

Meanwhile, in Australia, prominent Venusian themes of sugar, women, money and social graces made headlines in this story about a Gender Gap Bake Sale intended to expose wage disparity, yet exposed something even uglier. Also ugly: a very lengthy expose on sugar itself, arguing that it is poison. What’s interesting about that story — which I’ve heard before — it that it builds on research that was published in the aftermath of the Uranus-Pluto conjunctions of 1965-1966. The research was not well-received, and now another scientist is having a go with research of his own.

That’s it for the news! Have a wonderful Moon in Taurus weekend, indulging in good food, drink and a snuggle with your sweetie. To facilitate your efforts to build material security, here’s how you can stash away some tax-free funds right here in the good ol’ USA. No need to call anyone in Panama.

As I type, the Libra Moon is waxing to its fullness, exact at 8:01AM ET — albeit eclipsed. It opposes the Aries Sun at 4 degrees of Libra and Aries, just one degree away from the eclipse we had last September. So if your horoscope was directly affected then, it is affected now.

This Libra Moon may have its hands full in its efforts to be diplomatically fabulous, fair and balanced, as it is opposed by the needs of the Sun and Mercury together in me-me-me Aries. This Sun-Mercury meet-up, exact at 4:11PM ET, puts a fiery idealistic spin on thoughts and communication. Got something to say? It could be too much, too soon, but may be likely to demand attention anyway. Ride the horse in the direction it is going.

Other planetary patterns suggest progress may not happen so quickly: Saturn (advance, structure) is almost at a standstill, about to turn retrograde on Friday. It squared off against expansive Jupiter at 6:15AM ET. Not only that, but action hero Mars — much as it may like to push boundaries — is also slowing down — turning retrograde on April 17th. Not only that, but Venus (money, values, social expression) will be challenged by Jupiter and Saturn on Friday, suggesting a conflict over whether to expand or streamline. Perhaps not so bad that the markets will be closed.

Lunar eclipses suggest opportunities to release what no longer serves. If you are unable to release it consciously, forces beyond your control may take it away. Wherever 4 degrees of Aries/Libra fall in your horoscope suggest areas in your life where you may be invited to clean house. If a planet or angle is connected to those degrees, issues related to that planet are likely to be involved.

The Sabian Symbols for this eclipse are — for the Sun at 4 Aries: “two lovers stroll along a secluded walk”; and — for the Moon at 4 Libra: “a group around a campfire”. The challenge, suggests Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee, is “finding one’s self in social circles and relationship.” We are advised to watch for issues involving “struggles to be included — or excluded”. How much of ourselves must — or should — we give up in order to belong? What are the pros and cons?

And now, the news.

On Tuesday around 8AM in Brussels, the Moon was at 18 Virgo, exactly opposing (and triggering) the solar eclipse of March 8th. Chiron (the wounded healer) met up with the South Node (a point associated with destruction and other lower impulses). They were in the 12th House (hidden enemies; self-undoing), along with Sun-Mercury at the Aries Point, as well at rebel Uranus. Pluto and Uranus were conjunct and square to the Midheaven. This is the time of the suicide attacks at Zaventem.

At 9:11AM in Brussels (“coincidence” duly noted), Mars (action) and Neptune (vision/delusion) had just crossed the angles of that horoscope. Mars-Neptune aspects can reflect fanaticism. This is the time of the bombings at the train station. Last week, a glance at the horoscope of the entity claiming responsibility for these awful events suggested a pressing need for a radical ego assertion around March 26th.

Another pattern of interest — this refers to current planetary patterns: the Saturn/Pluto midpoint, associated with anguish, is now at the Aries Point, along with the Sun and Mercury. In my studies with Noel Tyl, I learned that in a personal horoscope, the Saturn/Pluto midpoint at the Aries Point suggests a prominent trauma in the early home life. Its prominence suggests that, when asked about it, he or she will readily discuss it.

It is not surprising to see this midpoint picture reflected in current events, too. In Yemen, a U.S. airstrike on an alleged terrorist training camp has reported killed “dozens”. Last week, two female suicide bombers killed 24 people in Nigeria. Who was it that said “an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind?” Mahatma Gandhi, I believe.

Meanwhile, sports and political commentator Keith Olbermann has been getting plenty of attention lately — for op-eds about Donald Trump. We do not have a confirmed public record of his birth time, yet I could imagine Mr. Olbermann’s discerning Virgo Moon being boosted by transiting Jupiter and Saturn. Even without an exact time, we do see another measurement suggesting opportunities for expansion in matters of mindset and communication, with a further intensified buzz starting this summer. A couple of weeks ago, he wrote about why he was moving out of one of Trump’s buildings. Now he’s got a piece in Politico about how to survive the media coverage of Donald Trump. Which brings me to a relevant astrological point about Saturn’s current journey through Sagittarius.

Saturn in Scorpio brought us face-to-face with the nitty gritty hardcore realities of sex, death and money. There’s even a show called “Death, Sex & Money” that launched on public radio when Saturn was in Scorpio — and I’m sure the show’s creator has no idea how perfectly in sync with planetary patterns her brainstorm was!

Last week the hacker group Anonymous threatened to release personal vital stats on Mr. Trump, such as his cell phone and social security number. Then it announced it had done so. ABC was one of the many news outlets that bought it — hook, line and sinker. Blah blah blah on this story — ad nauseum — law enforcement authorities getting involved, yadda yadda, yadda. You can see a clip of the hype on this follow-up video Anonymous released, announcing its ruse. Because the personal info it claimed to be revealing had already been posted on the web — in 2013! How cash-strapped are the newshounds that they can’t pay some staffer to Google this stuff before they air it? Plenty, most likely. That’s why they need to talk about Donald Trump.

In other news, the Moon was void all day yesterday. Primaries and caucuses were held. Moon voids suggest upsets favoring underdogs. Bernie Sanders won Idaho and Utah by 78% and 80%. Coincidence or conspiracy?

Did you note your dreams upon waking? The Moon met up with visionary Neptune at 6:12AM ET, the first of a flurry of contacts the Moon will make to other planets as it travels through soulful Pisces. If you have a planet or point halfway to two-thirds of the way through Pisces, Virgo, Gemini and Sagittarius, you may be feeling especially buoyed (upside) or overextended (downside) by a face-off between the Pisces Sun and Jupiter at 5:57AM ET. Actress Camryn Manheim has a birthday today. So does Lester Holt, Mickey Dolenz and Aidan Quinn. I wonder how they are feeling.

A block or an opportunity to push through a block arrives around 4:29PM ET, courtesy of a challenge to the Moon by Saturn. Depth of perspective and emotion may color it, as the Moon connects with Pluto at 5:55PM ET. Next up is a face-off between the Moon and Jupiter, suggesting an echo of whatever expansive/over-extended rush you may have received this morning. Finally, at 8:54PM ET, we’ll have the Sun and the Moon meet up at 19 degrees of Pisces — a.k.a. the New Moon in Pisces — which will then go void until 2:40PM ET on WEDNESDAY.

This New Moon is a Super Moon. It is also, as you must have heard by now, a total solar eclipse. “Super Moon” is a term coined by astrologer Richard Nolle back in 1979. Here is a helpful article he wrote, which should clear up any misunderstandings you may have about Super Moons. FYI, Nolle argues that Super Moons seem to coincide with weird, wild weather in the days before and after a Super Moon. Here’s an example of weird, wild weather on its way to Texas right now. In New York tomorrow, forecasters predict it will be 73 degrees. That’s insane. This Super Moon/Eclipse is so weird and wild that it will start on Wednesday and end on Tuesday — and here’s why.

OK, so New Moon, Super Moon and a total Solar Eclipse. What about the “eclipse” part?

A Solar Eclipse can act like a bottleneck of energy. Light flowing from the Sun is temporarily interrupted by the Moon, focusing attention on that interrupted point. Wherever that point falls in your horoscope, something new — and possibly fragile — may enter the picture and grow over the next several months. And here I would be thinking of Michael, the kindhearted policeman in the storybook Make Way for Ducklings, who stopped the flow of traffic on Beacon Street so Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their brood of eight could safely make their way to the Boston Public Garden. Here is Officer Michael, playing the role of the Moon in a total solar eclipse. Got that?

So when does the bottleneck of energy release, you may be wondering. Good question. We can expect a release of energy (reflected by an event) when another planet makes contact with the degree of the eclipse. Conjunctions are the most potent, but I’d argue that squares and oppositions also make an impact. Here’s an example: in September there was an eclipse that made contact with my Mercury (communication, mindset) and my Ascendant (personal projection, health). My Mercury happens to be in my Third House (communication) and it rules my Sixth House (health, among other things). A couple of months later, when transiting Mars hit the degree of that eclipse (4 Libra), I lost my voice for four days (until my brilliant acupuncturist restored it in less than an hour). See how an issue symbolized by Mercury in the horoscope became a focal point after it was eclipsed? Clear?

This eclipse falls almost exactly opposite the eclipse we experienced on September 13th, at 20 degrees of Virgo. If your horoscope was affected by that event, you are likely to be affected by the one happening today. Order an Astro-Basics Report if you want to know what degrees all of your planets and angles are at, so you can see where eclipses and other celestial events fall in your horoscope.

Now let’s talk about what patterns we see in the horoscope for this New Moon. First, we see a lot of Water — Sun, Moon, Mercury, Neptune, South Node and Chiron — all in Pisces. Pisces keywords include empathy, ideals, endings, spirits of all kinds, suffering, at-one-ment, victimization, refugees and other displaced persons our society tends to hide under the nearest rug (or hospital or prison or religious institution or subconscious). The emphasis on Water suggests a flood — literally and figuratively, e.g., a flood of emotion. Today it was reported that scientists expect heavier and harder rainfall in the near-term future.

Mercury and Neptune are together in Pisces, suggesting a need for a visionary mindset, for better or for worse. A faith in something ideal — but is it sublime or delusional? You choose — and others will, too. Action on that rose-colored vision is suggested by Mars in fiery Sagittarius adding its own blend of high-flying zeal and pixie-dust, as it makes contact with Mercury and Neptune. With the South Node and Chiron so close to the Sun and Moon, see the potential for issues involving healing a wound, unrequited love, the lowest common denominator and destruction. Certainly we see the potential for a sense of anguish or extraordinary effort in the face of a threat or loss to be prominent, suggested by a measurement between Saturn and Pluto with the Aries Point.

We also see Jupiter retrograde in earthy Virgo, opposing the Sun-Moon-Chiron and South Node. Jupiter in Virgo needs to expand on the slightest detail, perhaps missing the Bigger Picture. It might not be able to see the forest for the trees. Jupiter being retrograde suggests that whatever it seeks to expand now, it may change its mind about by the time it turns direct on May 3rd. Jupiter is also about to square Saturn in righteously opinionated Sagittarius, amplifying the usual “righteous” quality of any challenge between Jupiter and Saturn. When these two make contact, we expect a need for a sense of purpose in ambition and reward. Jupiter is also about to trine Pluto in Capricorn, suggesting an easy access to power and resources. Hmm. I can’t remember where I read this, but another astrologer noted the potential for “throwing the baby out with the bath water” in reference to Jupiter in Virgo so strongly engaged in this eclipse. That’s excellent advice. If anyone knows who wrote that, please let me know so I can give them credit.

The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon at 19 Pisces is “a master instructing his pupil”. Let’s see what Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee has to say about that:

The flow of inspiration from a deep and powerful source calls for a mastery of energies, of knowledge, and a skilled ability to transmit that knowledge. The challenge is to channel knowledge through fresh minds in a way so as to not overwhelm, but at the same time not to underwhelm: overdominating instruction works as poorly as watered-down instruction….if one is never one’s own master, there is danger of being swept away by the strong current of someone else’s take on things.

I added those italics — musing that perhaps those words might suggest the bottom-line challenge for this potent New Moon/Eclipse. Are you strong enough to “stand in your truth” without compromise, no matter which way the madding crowd is going? Suze Orman loves to tell her audience to stand in their truth. Here’s a fascinating interview in which she talks about how she applied that mantra in her own life.

So go ahead, light a candle, make a list and set your intentions for the next 30 days. In crafting your vision, be willing to release what no longer serves. Around March 15th, on the First Quarter Moon, we can expect a challenge to those goals, with appropriate adjustments made. At the time of the Full Moon on the 23rd, we can expect illumination on the success or failure of our goals for the cycle. If we succeeded, we can consciously release our success into our reality; if we failed, we let go of whatever did not work. After the Third Quarter Moon on March 31st, we can review our achievements, tie up loose ends and get ready to begin another New Moon on April 7th.

And now, the news.

It is interesting to note that this eclipse falls exactly opposite Joe Biden’s Midheaven, focusing energy on his home/family/foundation and his public status/career. Transiting Jupiter will trigger this eclipse in the Vice President’s horoscope around July 10th. In Rupert Murdoch’s horoscope, the eclipse falls almost exactly on his 21 Pisces Sun. Transits in his horoscope suggest a recent daring action and upheaval in his life, to be followed by a rose-colored or bewildering experience in his home/family/core foundation concerns. Mr. Murdoch married Jerry Hall on Friday. Alas, no time for the ceremony was reported.

Elsewhere, I am fascinated to see that Kato Kaelin was born on March 9th, 1959 — on a New Moon! Sun at 19 degrees Pisces; Moon at 20 degrees Pisces — so his horoscope is hit strongly by today’s eclipse. Not only that, but his Midheaven is at 17 degrees Capricorn, which is where transiting Pluto is right now. Transiting Pluto is also supercharging his Venus, which rules Kaelin’s Taurus Ascendant. We’d expect this to be reflected with increased prominence in his life, which would include the TV series about the O.J. Simpson murder trial that is currently airing on FX. It will be interesting to see what else develops in the aftermath of this eclipse.

Pluto (and Uranus) are also active in O.J. Simpson’s horoscope, supercharging his 16 degree Cancer Sun for the past couple of years. We also see a truckload of other measurements suggesting intensity of mindset and a raised public profile. No surprise there, right? He may be in prison, but millions are glued to a TV series about him. It’s interesting that last week — a few days after transiting Mars squared his Leo Ascendant — a knife allegedly found buried on the grounds of his former home was turned over to the police. It’s being tested for DNA evidence, though some sources say it is doubtful the knife is related to the case. Time will tell, along with a few more upcoming provocative hits from Mars in Simpson’s horoscope. Meanwhile, the NY Daily News published Kato Kaelin’s thoughts on this twist.

Remember that tomorrow the Moon will be void until 2:40PM ET. Then it races into Aries, seeking to lead and inspire with great gusto, as it trines Mars at 4:51PM ET. Plant your visionary New Moon seeds!

Thank you for reading this forecast and telling the rest of the Free World. To find out what’s going on in your horoscope, I invite you to schedule a personal consultation.

Happy Thanksgiving in Canada. Happy Mattress Sale Day in the United States.

We’re still dealing with a dead Moon, waiting for the New Moon to begin at 8:06PM ET. Lucky you if you’ve got the day off…or are planning a covert operation. We can expect a jolt or other disruption of the status quo around 6:20PM ET, when the Moon is opposed by rebel Uranus. Perhaps it’s related to a power play or emotional catharsis that occurred earlier around 7AM ET, courtesy of Pluto.

Once the New Moon does kick in, it it will immediately go void until 5:38PM ET on TUESDAY. This suggests twists favoring the underdog, a lack of focus and/or other challenges to efforts made in a straight line. This does not suggest you stay home under the covers all day. It suggests you use your awareness of the Moon void potential in how you choose to react to the day’s events. If a crisis erupts, the conventional wisdom suggests it’s likely much ado about nothing, so chill and just go with the flow. Got that? Be advised that on Wednesday the Moon will go void at 8:58PM ET…not to enter the next sign until FRIDAY at 5:18AM ET. So most of Tuesday and all of Thursday ET are likely to be a bust in terms of moving things decisively forward.

This doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of diplomatic, practical thinking and physical and/or assertive drive at your disposal, as well as dreamy/artsy inspiration that may or may not be hopelessly tinged with rose. The only exact aspect on Tuesday is the third in a series of easy aspects between sobering Saturn and mental Mercury at 5:55AM ET. Whatever practical solution you reached on the second of the series may be up for a rethink. That was last Tuesday 10/6.

If power and control are your aim, planetary patterns on Tuesday night and all day Wednesday offer more support, for better or for worse. The only exact aspect on Thursday is an easy alignment between action hero Mars (in perfection-seeking Virgo) and Pluto (in big business/government Capricorn) at 11:31PM ET. We should see plenty of headlines along those lines between now and then. If you’re a Virgo, Taurus or Capricorn born in the first half of those signs…or if you have a planet or angle between 4-14 degrees of those signs, this is probably not the time to rest on your laurels. Consult your local astrologer for details.

Friday and Saturday look primed for high-flying exuberant spin or vision, again for the sake of perfection — perhaps on a “big picture” principle. Friday begins with the gravitas of a Moon-Saturn meet-up in Sagittarius (right on Rep. Paul Ryan’s Ascendant — hmmm). The evening is dominated by a dreamy face-off between Venus (money, women, aesthetics, social expression) in Virgo and visionary/delusional Neptune at 10:54PM ET. Saturday’s big news is a meet-up between expansive Jupiter and assertive Mars in Virgo at 6:40PM ET.

And now, today’s New Moon.

The New Moon is the monthly meet-up of the Sun and Moon. It offers us an opportunity to re-set intentions and goals for the next lunar cycle. Sometime today or tomorrow, light a candle and make a list. Around October 20th, on the First Quarter Moon, we can expect a challenge to those goals, with appropriate adjustments made. At the time of the Full Moon on the 27th, we can expect illumination on the success or failure of our goals for the cycle. If we succeeded, we can consciously release our success into our reality; if we failed, we let go of whatever did not work. After the Third Quarter Moon on November 3rd, we can review our achievements, tie up loose ends and get ready to begin another New Moon on the 11th.

Libra is the sign of partnerships. Marriage is an obvious partnership; some business relationships are partnerships, including adversarial ones. Since March, we’ve gone through the first half of the zodiac with New Moons focusing on the Self: Aries = my identity; Taurus = my values/possessions; Gemini = my mind/communication; Cancer = my emotions/family; Leo = my creative self-expression/love to give; Virgo = my service/work/body.

Starting with Libra, we’re ready to go public. Take a look at your relationships: how are We doing? What is the State of Our Unions? How do they reflect the Libran needs of justice, fairness, diplomacy, peace, beauty and sweetness? Is there resentment or a lack of appreciation? Are there issues hanging in the balance (Libra is the sign of the Scales)?

Use a bit of creative visualization in your New Moon meditation — and if you’re not a meditating type, grab a pen and paper and make a list of partnership objectives for the next few months. If there’s anything/anyone on that list that you already have, make time for social graces and express your appreciation. Libra NEEDS appreciation for being valuable in relationship; by extension, our relationships need grace and appreciation, too.

Patterns in this New Moon chart suggest a big push for idealized perfection. These patterns include those that will be exact as the week progresses (noted above). They also include patterns that were exact over the weekend and described in detail in Friday’s forecast: Venus square Saturn, Jupiter trine Pluto and Uranus opposing the Sun. It’s the last one that suggests the potential for upsets to the status quo in relationship. In addition to opposing the Sun, Uranus is opposing the Moon.

You will be more personally impacted by the breakout potential if you have a planet or angle around 20 degrees of Libra or Aries — and to a lesser degree, Cancer or Capricorn.

The Sabian Symbol for 20 Libra is “a Jewish rabbi,” and here’s what Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee has to say about it. “…an image of a spiritual head and teacher whose responsibilities lie in interpreting and disseminating matters of the laws of the living….As a leader, his task is to feed his community in order to help others find their right place and time regarding their heritage”. Fascinating, in light of current headlines about leadership (and lack thereof).

Bovee suggests we apply this symbol with a mind to “creativity generosity to help situations along; compassionate sensibility that transcends rules…sustaining rather than suspending…today’s outsiders being tomorrow’s leaders…nourishing wisdom as opposed to smug intellectualism…generosity of the heart as opposed to free handouts.”

Not since before Watergate have so few people and businesses provided so much early money in a campaign, most of it through channels legalized by the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision five years ago…

Whoa.

Did you see this bizarre story about three teenagers who died after a school principal abused his power (Pluto square Sun) and hypnotized (Mars opposing Neptune) his students? In other news, take the visionary and spacey potential of Mars-Neptune, mix it with the intensely futuristic potential of Sun opposing Uranus and other current energetic patterns, and you might see a NYT homepage piece about a non-profit organization in upstate New York that has recreated sets from the original Star Trek TV series in order to produce a new series, Star Trek: New Voyages, which you can view online. Beam me up.

Mets fans are not happy today. During Saturday’s all-day Moon void, their team’s shortstop suffered a broken leg after LA Dodger Chase Utley slid into him. A Moon void during sports matches does suggests a higher than average potential for upsets and other freaky occurrences. The slide was ruled illegal; Utley was suspended for two games. Now Utley has appealed, and since the appeal isn’t going to be heard by the start of the game tonight, it appears Utley will be able to play….or so the NYT was reporting earlier today. Perhaps that will change.

Saturn square Venus suggests harsh realities and women. Sun opposing Uranus suggests technology and mavericks. What is it that keeps women out of tech fields, wonders the NYT? Why did a Democratic congresswoman claim she was disinvited from Tuesday’s Democratic debates? An acclaimed astronomer apologizes for sexual harassment. A 48 million year old fossil is discovered — pregnant at the time of its death. An update on anorexia — a harsh illness impacting mostly women — makes the home page and becomes one of the most widely-viewed items on the NYT homepage. And on and on. Isn’t it interesting how planetary patterns are reflected in the news?

Finally, Rep. Paul Ryan. The Republican congressman from Wisconsin has apparently been begged by his party to run for House Speaker. So far he’s been saying no, though reportedly that isn’t his final answer. Back in 2012, I wrote a lengthy bit on Mr. Ryan — here it is. His horoscope was quite hot back then, and it’s heating up again now. What will he decide to do with all this potential? That’s up to him. However, the opportunity to run for Speaker coincides with transiting Saturn (heavy responsibility) right on his Ascendant. That’s a challenge to his natal Neptune-Ascendant conjunction: to get real about his natural projection of pixie-dust and vision, the kind that’s convinced some that he’s more of a con than a congressman.

It is interesting to note that Mercury, the ruler of Mr. Ryan’s 10th house of public status/career is being supercharged by transiting Pluto, adding an extra dose of persuasiveness in mindset and communication. This will continue into 2016. It is also interesting to see transiting Venus, Mars and Jupiter about to hit his Midheaven — all before November 4th. These transits increase the potential for elevated and expanded public status, especially the Jupiter transit, because it rules his Ascendant and will continue into 2016. Also of note: The last two eclipses hit points in Mr. Ryan’s horoscope: Mars (assertiveness; creative self-expression) and his Midheaven.

Hopefully you can now appreciate why Mr. Ryan is attracting so much attention right about now. And if you understood what was going on in your horoscope, you’d be able to anticipate when opportunities are likely to manifest for you, too.

Dead Moon or not, the early part of today looks busy — especially in the wee hours while you were sleeping. First the sensitive Cancer Moon met up with Mercury and Mars – then opposed Pluto at 4:10AM ET. A need for emotional security is given the potential for expressive communication and action, followed by a catharsis or power play. How wild and intense were your dreams?

At 10:08AM ET Mars (action) is opposed by Pluto (underground, underworld), suggesting more than the average amount of force and persuasion. At 7:38PM ET mental Mercury takes no prisoners when it is also opposed by Pluto. An empowered perspective or a verbal lashing may be yours, especially if you have a planet or angle around 14 degrees (halfway through) Aries, Libra, Capricorn and Cancer.

In between that turbulent threesome, more revelations and/or disruptions may pop up, as the Moon is challenged by rebel Uranus. So much action…and we don’t even get to today’s main event — the New Moon — until 9:24PM ET. Finally you can light a candle, make a list and set your intentions for the next lunar cycle!

The Moon functions well in Cancer, the sign it rules. Here it seeks to fulfill a need for emotional/homeland security Y’know, core foundational concerns. Are you standing on solid ground? Where is your home? Tell me about your family, your mother, your ancestors. How are you being nourished and nurtured? How are you nurturing others?

We are challenged this month to think deeply about these core foundation concerns. Don’t like what you’re standing on — or standing for? Sending the wrong message, are you? Then use the penetrating perspective and force of this particular New Moon to change it.

Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute, is positioning his think tank to play a bigger role in 2016, offering more issue briefings and debate preparation for candidates. His new book out this week, “The Conservative Heart,” can be read as a communications manual of sorts. It also prods GOP leaders to outline a conservative social justice agenda. “Forget the scapegoats,” Brooks writes. “When the vast majority of Americans agree that conservatives are not compassionate, the time has come for a little introspection. The central problem is not what others say about us. It is what we say about ourselves.”

Interesting to note how another heart caused a stir yesterday — the one seen on Pluto. That planet is named for the Lord of the Underworld — a deity not known for its warm and fuzzy compassion. Who knew?

The Sabian Symbol for the New Moon at 24 Cancer seems daunting at first: “a woman and two men on a bit of sunlit land facing south.” Huh? Thank goodness Blain Bovee wrote a book to help us figure it out: “This is an image of a classic love triangle, the challenge of choosing personal affinities born of the heart“.

Again with the hearts. Must be reflective of Jupiter and Venus nearing the end of Leo, that great-hearted sign.

Bovee suggests that a choice between two perhaps worthy but different options must be made. Consider that Arthur Brooks used to be a “liberal bohemian musician”. What was sacrificed in order for him to be where he is right now?

Bovee suggests we apply this Sabian Symbol with a mind to “the challenge of choosing one’s path in life; finding oneself in triangulated situations; feeling confined in the world; confinement as spiritual freedom; toying with the hearts of others; withholding one’s favor”. And also this: “finding that even the love of God involves a third party”. That one is deep. Have to think about it. Meanwhile, look for headlines reflecting these themes coming soon to a newspaper near you.

You are more personally affected by this potent New Moon if you have a planet or angle at around 24 degrees of Aries, Libra, Capricorn — and especially Cancer. If you do not know the degrees of your planets and angles, consider ordering the Astro-Basics Report here — or book a consultation to find out why you are the way you are, and what opportunities you have to become more empowered in the next several months.

And now, a bit of news.

Reflecting the potential for extreme force that transforms one’s perspective of core foundation issues, the wizards at the Giant Atom-Smashing Hadron Collider announced the discovery of a new particle: the pentaquark. Like the Higgs boson, the existence of this particle was first posited on the Uranus-Pluto conjunction in the mid-60s. So cool and apt that it would materialize now, on the Uranus-Pluto square.

Thank you for reading this forecast and sharing it with your friends. You are sharing it with your friends, aren’t you? Much gratitude to you for doing so.

A New Moon at 10:05 AM ET in chatterbox Gemini, and into the void it went immediately thereafter. If you’re planting seeds, plant when the Moon enters Cancer at 6:51PM ET tonight (and for the next couple of days). Otherwise enjoy the information buzz and discern which stories are solid and which ones are much ado about nothing. Go with the flow of whatever twists or flakes may detour efforts to move forward in a straight line. Revel in the fresh energy of the New Moon and re-set your intentions for what may well be a dynamic and wish-fulfilling month of action.

Mars is prominent in this New Moon, as it is closely conjunct both the Sun and Moon. Mars is the action hero planet, and you may recall last week’s brief discussion of the driving force it can bring to your life when it transits your horoscope, especially the angles.

We see this drive loud and clear in Jeb Bush’s horoscope, as transiting Mars (and the Sun) hit his Gemini Midheaven and squared his 23 Virgo Ascendant. He formally declared himself a candidate. How nice for him that transiting Jupiter will enter Virgo later this year and hit those angles in January and August of 2016. Certainly this July should be pleasant, as Venus and Jupiter will make contact with his natal 23 Aquarius Sun-22 Leo Pluto opposition, giving him another opportunity to shine.

We see Mars active in Donald Trump’s horoscope, too. Last week it made contact with his natal 22 Gemini Sun-“here’s my opinion even though you did not ask me for it” 22 Sagittarius Moon. Saturn just squared his regal 29 Leo Ascendant, inspiring an ambitious reach; Jupiter will conjoin his Ascendant in August. Also in Trump’s chart: authoritative Saturn progressing by solar arc to the Aries Point, suggesting a need for executive authority becoming prominent. Today, during the Moon void in Gemini, Mr. Trump is allegedly announcing his run for office, too. Much ado about nothing? Perhaps, but he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

In addition to Mars, we see two other patterns in this New Moon that offer the potential for inspiration and reward. One is the third in a series of three trines (easy connections) between cosmic sugar daddy Jupiter and lightning bolt Uranus that began last fall. The other is the third in a series of three squares between mental Mercury and visionary Neptune. The first two bewildering/pixie-dusted challenges happened in May, before and during Mercury’s retrograde. The third happens on June 29th.

What does it all mean for you? I haven’t the foggiest idea….unless I’m looking at your horoscope. Schedule a personal consultation and let’s find out!

The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon is “winter frost in the woods,” and much of what Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee has to say about this image evokes warmth and magic.

Apply this degree pair with a mind for transforming the world, transforming life through inspiration and crystallized standards of integrity…(alternatively)…Ice Queen coldness; casting spells of a prurient nature; a cool social demeanor…burning intensity…branching out to try new talents….

Transforming the world? How wonderful for Pope Francis, who aims to do that later this week…

Get it done early today. The Virgo Moon waxes to fullness at 1:05PM ET, then goes void with a long, deep sigh as it makes an easy connection to potent Pluto at 1:36PM ET. The Virgo faculties of organizing, sorting and perfecting may feel as if they are running wild over the next 24+ hours…or they may take you off on a wandering adventure as you uncover the unexpected. Go with the flow and take some time to chill if you can.

Depth, perspective, power, transformation and regeneration are emphasized by a cooperative connection between the intuitive Pisces Sun and Pluto, exact at 7:18PM ET. There are no exact planetary patterns tomorrow, though the Moon will engage in the next sign — Libra — at 7:52PM ET. That’ll give some focus and intention to your Friday night date.

The Full Moon sheds light on the New Moon projects launched two weeks ago. The Sabian Symbol for that lunation at the last degree of Aquarius suggested a focus on “ancient civilizations”. How interesting on this Full Moon to see in the headlines that a jawbone found two years ago has now been analyzed and now “pushes human evolution back 400,000 years”. With Uranus and Pluto so prominent this month, watch for plenty more “news from underground,” literally and figuratively.

The Sabian Symbols for this Full Moon are — for the Sun: “an officer preparing to drill his men”; and for the Moon: “an ornamental handkerchief”. Sabian Symbol guru Blain Bovee writes that the latter is “an image of power and rank embellished by beauty and refinement”. He reminds us of the chivalric code of the Knights of the Round Table, where a fearsome knight might earn the handkerchief of a noble lady, which he would prominently display. His fighting energies would thus be sworn to serve her presumably gentler, kinder and more refined qualities. It is an interesting symbol for this lunation, given the current potency of macho Mars in equally macho Aries, about to shake things up as it makes contact with Uranus and Pluto next week. Both symbols suggest a discipline, courtesy and more refined expression of raw physical power. Up for the challenge?

As if on cue, the NYT just posted an op-ed on why gender equality is better for men, too. I haven’t read the whole piece yet, but did note this benefit: “have more sex”. Coincidence or conspiracy?

And now, more news.

With the Moon in Virgo yesterday, the Supreme Court heard a case challenging the Affordable Care Act, and it all boiled down to arguments about four little words. It occurs to me to wonder why they can’t just take a poll of every member of Congress who voted for the law and ask them what they thought they were voting for: tax credits only for people enrolled in state-run health exchanges, or tax credits for state-run and federal-run. Yeah, I know: because the Justice Branch of our government is charged with interpreting the law, as I recall from my elementary school civics classes. And this is what happens when legislators vote for bills they haven’t actually read.

Elsewhere in the world of excruciating Virgo detail, the federal investigation of the Ferguson police department released its findings, and they are an absolute page-turner — a “damning report” on racial bias and abuse. I encourage you to read it.

Another stark reality exposed in the report is this (as you can read on page 9):

City officials have consistently set maximizing revenue as the priority for Ferguson’s law enforcement activity. Ferguson generates a significant and increasing amount of revenue from the enforcement of code provisions. The City has budgeted for, and achieved, significant increases in revenue from municipal code enforcement over the last several years, and these increases are projected to continue…

In other words, with Venus — money issues — becoming supercharged by Uranus and Pluto yesterday, we are invited to realize that cities are cash-strapped. Tax revenues are not enough to fund municipal services. Instead of raising taxes, cities then plan to cover expenses by directing law enforcement departments to make up the difference by collecting fines from its citizens. Law enforcement complies….ruthlessly. It becomes THE priority. In a related story, six police officers in Whittier, California are suing that city, saying they were forced to meet certain quotas that would generate revenue.

The opposite of Virgo is Pisces, which is intuitive, sensitive and compassionate. “Their Dying Wishes” is an NYT op-ed written by a woman who volunteers in hospice centers and seeks to fulfill the last wishes of people in their final days. These wishes may seem mundane in their simplicity; the stories are tender and kind. Pisces also refers to endings.

In other news, there will be no more elephant acts at Ringling Brothers’ Circus as of 2018. And in Southern California, stricter emission controls aimed at reducing smog has resulted in healthier lungs for SoCal children. Finally, a man who tried to end it all by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge two years ago says his life was saved — by (an empathic?) sea lion. The man now works as a mental health advocate. Good news.

No exact planetary aspects happening on this truly Dead Moon morning, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be stuff happening. Venus and Mars are within orb of the Aries Point, suggesting Venus-ruled matters (social expression, women, money, values, aesthetics) and Mars-ruled matters (assertion and action) are likely to pull more focus than usual. Right now they’re on the Pisces side of the Aries Point, so add themes of compassion, universal suffering, ideals, impressions and soulful mingling to the mix. When they do meet on the Aries side on Sunday, watch for themes of me-me-me, pioneers, inspiration and conquest.

At 6:47PM ET, the Sun and Moon both meet up at 29 Aquarius. Blink and you’ll miss it. Moon immediately goes void — but only for one minute. It enters Pisces at 6:48PM ET, followed by the Sun in Pisces at 6:50PM ET. It’s rare to have two New Moons in a row in the same sign. January’s New Moon was at 0 Aquarius — the very beginning. This month’s New Moon is at the very end. So we get a second chance to focus on Aquarian concerns, including (but not limited to): innovation, eccentricity, friendship, humanitarianism, freedom, technogeeks and the needs of the collective as opposed to the needs of the individual. Watch for new beginnings and endings in these areas.

A New Moon offers the opportunity to re-set your intentions for the next 30 days. Make a list; light a candle; plant those seeds. Around the 25th, on the First Quarter Moon, we can expect a challenge to those goals, with appropriate adjustments made. How are our seedlings doing? Keep on nurturing them, and at the time of the Full Moon on March 5th, they may flower. We will receive illumination on the success or failure of our goals for the cycle, either way. If we succeeded, we can consciously release our success into our reality; if we failed, we let go of whatever did not work. After the Third Quarter Moon on March 13th, we can harvest our achievements, then tie up loose ends, compost and get ready to begin another New Moon cycle on March 20th.

In the chart for this New Moon, the Sun and Moon are approaching contact with Saturn in Sagittarius. At the last New Moon, there was an easy communication of humanitarian ideals and how they are to be achieved. This cycle requires an ambitious advance on those ideals — at the risk of rejection. Practical — albeit emotionally detached — planning and communication is suggested by an easy connection between mental Mercury and Saturn in Sagittarius. We’ve already noted the potential of Venus and Mars coming together with prominence at the very end of Pisces — plenty of emotional resources suggested here.

With Jupiter about to make the second of three exact trines to Uranus, we see the potential for ground-breaking initiatives. Look back to events happening around September 25, 2014 — that was the first trine of the cycle. The second will be on March 3rd. The third one happens on June 22nd. Last, but hardly least, the revolutionary Uranus-Pluto square is inching closer to its grand finale scheduled for March 16th. And by grand finale, I mean the final release of tension between two planets symbolizing revolution and transformation on a collective scale. What does that suggest? Consider and compare events that happened before and after the three Uranus-Pluto conjunctions in 1965 and 1966.

“…an open expanse flourishing with growth from an ancient era. ‘The field of Ardath’ is a reference to ancient Babylon and a mystic meadow symbolizing the blossoming of a mystical brotherhood….associated with ‘the cradle of civilization’…a meadow without specific identity or characteristics: a symbol for all peoples in all times”.

I find it intriguing that of 360 possible Sabian Symbols, the one that shows up at this time, when events in that part of the world formerly known as Babylon are approaching critical mass, just happens to be the Symbol that specifically references — at least on one level — that location. On another level, the Symbol refers to all of us, as we collectively approach the critical mass of the seventh Uranus-Pluto square. It is a hopeful Symbol, as Bovee notes that “a whole field in bloom suggest richness and bounty beyond imagination.” A hopeful symbol (with a garden theme) is also presented in Beth Owlsdaughter’s Tarot Card of the Week. So, let’s hope.

In your own personal world, if you were born around the 18th of February, May, August and November…or if you have a planet or angle around 29 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and especially Aquarius, you will be more personally affected by this New Moon. Wherever it falls in your horoscope is where you can expect seeds planted for a blossoming of potential. Don’t know where your planets are? Order the Astro-Basics Report for $18 — look here for more details.

And now, the news.

First, while we’re still in the dark side of the Moon, here is a story about women now living in the Dark Ages — in certain areas of Iraq controlled by extremists.

Meanwhile, reflecting the groundbreaking potential in matters of power and resources suggested by the Uranus-Pluto square and the second Jupiter-Uranus trine, Elon Musk announced a new status quo: living off the grid, thanks to a battery that will allow homeowners to store energy. Elon Musk continues to be innovative in a most supercharged manner, as noted in this forecast back in August of 2013.

Elsewhere, Rand Paul is apparently set to formally announce he’s running for president in April. It makes sense he’d be looking for greater freedom and empowerment, given that his Sun at 16 Capricorn will be supercharged in 2015 and 2016 by Uranus and Pluto. Plus, a solar arc to his Sun by Mars suggests a need to take action, despite recent revelations that he lied about having a college degree. Not having a college degree has never been an issue for Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin, which perhaps explains why his latest mission is to slash funding for Wisconsin’s public university system in exchange for giving it greater autonomy. Serious focus on the practical value of higher education, along with streamlining and restructuring of the system (student loans, anyone?), would be expected with Saturn in Sagittarius for the next couple of years.

I’ve been meaning to write about Elizabeth Warren’s horoscope for months. People are begging her to run for president. She’s gaining greater prominence in the Senate. Hillary Clinton met with her in private recently — this is how important the senator has become. Regular readers of this forecast should have a hunch at what’s going on. First, she can’t help but attract attention for her quirky independence and rebellious spirit. Like her astro-twin Meryl Streep, Warren’s Cancer Sun is conjunct Uranus at the Aries Point. Second, I am fascinated that both Ms. Streep and Senator Warren have Midheavens (point in the horoscope referring to career status) at 18 and 19 degrees of a Cardinal Sign, i.e., 18 Aries for Ms. Streep; 19 Cancer for Senator Warren. Therefore. we expect the careers of both women to reflect the empowerment and emancipation/change of direction potential of Uranus and Pluto for the next two years (another Oscar, Ms. Streep?)

In Elizabeth Warren’s horoscope, that potential is even stronger. She will experience Uranus and Pluto from all angles, given her 17 degrees Libra Ascendant. In fact, we can argue that 2014’s exact solar arc to her Ascendant from Pluto has already mandated a change of perspective about how she is seen. She’s emerged as a serious power player, and we can expect that trend to continue — whether she runs or not. Also of significance: her Venus at 18 Cancer (conjunct her Midheaven — you just have to like her), rules her Libra Ascendant. It will also be supercharged by Uranus and Pluto, suggesting her social expression and values will also become more prominent and persuasive.

Last but not least: Dominique Strauss-Kahn is back in the news. We’ve been tracking his horoscope ever since his assault of a hotel chambermaid cost him his post as head of the IMF. Now he’s on trial– charged with pimping. I looked at his horoscope a couple of weeks ago and noted a measurement of the Sun to his Midheaven. This is usually a measurement of success and fulfillment in matters of career and reputation. I thought to myself, “hmm…I’m not convinced these charges will stick.” And in fact, this week some charges were dropped, and yesterday a prosecutor asked the court to acquit Mr. Strauss-Kahn. Julian Assange had the same measurement in his horoscope when Ecuador allowed him to stay in their London embassy, thus avoiding arrest and deportation to Sweden. Astrology is amazing.

Finally, a lighter piece reflecting the reality check Saturn in Sagittarius can have on travel destinations. The candor of tourism officials in the current frozen wasteland of Ithaca, New York deserves applause and a note to put that city on your bucket list….